Special Education Transition Services

HCPSS offers a continuum of services and programs to support student-centered transition planning, which is an ongoing process of preparing students for life after high school. For students with a disability, additional support is needed to facilitate the transition from high school to adult life. This student-centered transition planning helps to create a vision for the future based on the student’s likes, dislikes, and interests.

Overview

Secondary Transition is the time when a student moves from school-based services to adult services. For students with a disability, this is a multi-step, multi-year process that involves decision-making along the way. Many people are involved in this process, with the student and family at the forefront supported by special educators, transition specialists, other members of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, and outside agencies.

Starting the year a student turns 14, the IEP team will begin to discuss the student’s post secondary goals and transition services at the annual IEP meeting. Transition services and pages will also appear on the IEP. Additionally, parents will receive the Maryland State Department of Education’s “Transition Planning Guide,” a resource on post-high school planning.

Families will encounter a variety of new terms during the planning process for transition out of high school. A list of common acronyms and their definitions is available online.

Training and Transition Experiences

Students also have access to HCPSS’ Career Academies, which help prepare them for college and entry-level employment in the specific career areas.

Transition Support

Transition Specialists

Secondary Transition Resource Teachers